On the hydroxy proton multiplicity in the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 2-chloroethanol in inert solvents

Abstract

The hydroxy proton multiplicity of 2-chloroethanol has been studied in inert solvents. It has been found that only a singlet is observed in fully dehydrated sample solutions from neat to 0.02M concentration at room temperature. A trace of water present in the sample solutions causes a multiplet structure at lower alcohol concentrations. The singlet can be explained in terms of proton exchange within the associated species of the alcohol as a result of the increased acidity of the hydroxy proton due to chlorine substitution. The triplet is interpreted as the result of the reduction in proton exchange within the associated species caused by water molecules which are incorporated into the associated species of the alcohol.